Statues and Architecture, Musée d’Orsay – Paris, France
We’ve made it to the rear of the main hall at the Musée d’Orsay. With a rich mix of statues and architecture, there’s a lot to take in.
I make the following observation as an ignorant art observer. The scale of the sculpture on display at Musée d’Orsay is grander and more complex than the Greek statues I saw at the Louvre. Is this due to a difference in artistic style or technology? The works at Musée d’Orsay are more recent, from the last 100 to 200 years. On the other hand, the Greek statues are thousands of years old. Is there the artistic equivalent of inflation where the new works must be larger and more impressive? That seems to be the general progression in human endeavors.
You can also appreciate the mix of architecture in this image. We have the curved ceiling from the original train station. However, the structure within, the walkways and display platforms, are new additions to the museum — a stark difference seen by the levels of ornamentation.
We also see the previously hidden extensions to the museums beyond the great hall. The walkways and vertical columns create additional floors. Underneath the walkways and doorways on either side lead to more displays and galleries. Musée d’Orsay turned out to be a lot larger than initially expected.
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7 thoughts on “Statues and Architecture”
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atmtx photo blog 
I love the observations on the progression of statue size. Heading to the Musee D’Orsay later this morning!
I hope you enjoyed the museum as much as I did. Is this your first visit?
No. I’ve been several tines before. First in many years though. I love train stations (not to mention subways) and clocks so that gives it another leg up on the preference scale. Check out my latest profile pic on fb. It’s a shot with me (in my Brooklyn t-shirt!) inside in front of the front-facing Musee D’Orsay clock.
Probably my favorite in a tie with the MET!
We have much in common. I also love trains and subways.
When looking at the technical progress of an earlier society it is easy to see by the size and separation of the columns used in buildings. As building technology progresses the columns get thinner and farther apart.
However, when looking at a modern society, when looking at the tools and products a society produces the reverse is true. As a society’s ability to make a product improves, the product gets smaller.
PaulB
Yes, there seems to be a dichotomy. Big things like buildings and items designed to impress, inflate. Gadgets and electronics appear to shrink.
Much of this seems to be driven by the available energy. We currently use a lot of energy and thus have the ability to be extravagant both in big and little things.
Original message is below. I tried again, and the website wants commenters to log in to comment. I don’t use Facebook, so that won’t work for me. PaulB
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